Political Donations

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:20): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier inform the house about what he considers are the reasons to reform rules around political donations and limiting the influence of sectional interests?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for his question. As part of his speech to the parliament yesterday, His Excellency spoke about the need to introduce new measures to improve the quality and integrity of our system of government. It envisaged improvement in transparency would be achieved through a number of measures.

It is my view that such reforms are vital if we are to ensure the community has faith in our systems of government. This is obviously a present concern for people about the political process and there is a degree of cynicism about it. They must feel that when a decision is made it is being taken for the right reasons, that is, the best interests of the state, the best interests of the broader community and through an appropriate process. The government should be encouraged to make decisions to drive that activity in our community and our economy that have that effect.

However, the decisions made should not be based on the undue influence of sectional interests. These interests, of course, need to be balanced, but they nevertheless cannot have undue influence. So, for instance, those interests should not have the capacity to buy political influence, and I have been very clear about the fact that this government will not be scared to make significant decisions based on what we believe is necessary in the state's interests even if it might upset from time to time sectional interests.

We need to safeguard against political parties basing their policies on positions that might be influenced by the financial support of sectional interests. Take, for instance, the reform of liquor licensing and small bars. That should not be influenced by the effect of an AHA donation, because if that were to happen that would be a bad thing. Or the position on marine parks—that, for instance, should not be influenced by million dollar donations from the tuna industry.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Or even garden party fundraisers that might influence planning policy, especially if the planning policy was in one direction and then suddenly changed in another direction, or perhaps influencing the transport development levy on the basis that a group of car park owners might come to you and say, 'Have we got a deal for you. We would like to run some advertisements.'

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I think it is a dangerous matter when policy positions are not determined through hard work and through analysis and weighing up interests, but rather a political party becomes effectively a lobby group for hire. That would be a very bad thing and we certainly need to guard against that in this place.

The SPEAKER: Arising out of that intemperance by the house, the Minister for Health is called to order, the member for Hartley is warned a first time, the member for Morialta is called to order, warned a first and a second time, the member for Davenport receives his maiden call to order, the member for Mount Gambier is called to order and warned a first time, the member for Hammond is called to order, the member for Chaffey is warned a first time, and the member for Mitchell is called to order.